Beep no more: Iran bans pagers on planes

Iran has officially prohibited the use of pagers and walkie-talkies on all flights, AFP reported on Sunday, citing Iranian media sources. The ban follows a series of deadly sabotage attacks in Lebanon, which Iranian officials have attributed to Israel.

According to ISNA news agency, Jafar Yazerlo, spokesperson for Iran's Civil Aviation Organization, stated: "The entry of any electronic communication device, except mobile phones, in flight cabins or ... in non-accompanied cargo, has been banned."

The decision comes in response to the sabotage attacks from over three weeks ago, which targeted Hezbollah members in Lebanon. The attacks reportedly used pagers and walkie-talkies, leading to explosions that killed 39 people and injured nearly 3,000 others, according to Lebanese reports. Tehran's ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was also affected.

Both Hezbollah and Iran have blamed Israel for the explosions, though Israel has not commented. In response, Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) ordered its members to cease using communication devices following the incidents.

Additionally, Emirates airline has also banned pagers and walkie-talkies from its flights, noted AFP.